Down The Line
Chapter 5
She hadn't been fired. Brianna had threatened and threatened. However her words were just words when Troy got on the phone and her threats fizzled to nothing. Well nothing apart from longer hours – at the same pay she was on before. Now Gabriella was in between five and six sometimes four or three. She was first in and last out – leaving at ten, midnight or never at all. She was still seeing Troy, he understood his sister, he understood her need have everything just right. He understood Gabriella need to finish her last four months there – if she left in the middle of her contract, she'd get no pay, no bonus – which was unlikely anyway – no holiday pay.
Right now he knew she would be eating at her desk, while working and trying to chew fast or spit out when the phone rang.
Two minutes later her phone rang – the office phone.
"Brianna Walsh office," she answered.
"Hey Brie," he smiled.
"God stop phoning me," she groaned, not noticing Brianna walk into the office until a coat hit her in the face.
"Leave me alone Bolton," she whispered, before slamming the phone down and hanging her coat up.
"Montez!" shouted Brianna.
Gabriella headed quickly into the office.
"Yes Ms Walsh?" she asked.
"Anyone important?" she asked.
"I beg your pardon?" Gabriella asked.
"The phone call…. The person you just hung up on anyone important?" she asked.
"No Ma'am just your brother," she answered.
Her mobile started ringing from the desk and she groaned.
"Excuse me ma'am," she said, before hurrying to shut it off.
"Go and answer," ordered Brianna. "You have twenty minutes. My idiot brother obviously sees something in you and I don't want him blowing my phone up every thirty seconds."
Gabriella hurried down to the front of building and dialled Troy back.
"Your sister as gone officially mad," she said, as soon as she picked up.
"What's she done now?" he asked, she saw she could hear his voice behind her.
"She-"
She didn't get to finish the sentence as she was grabbed from behind, she stiffed ready to jab her elbow into the person stomach.
"Calm Brie," whispered a voice.
She instantly relaxed into Troy's embrace.
"I have twenty technically fifteen minutes," she muttered. "To phone you."
"I'll be right back," he said.
"Troy!" she called. "Please leave it."
"No I want more than twenty minutes with you," he said.
"Troy your going to put me in a very difficult position," she said.
Troy turned and came back to her and then her phone rang.
"I need a coffee," and then Brianna hung up.
"I have to get your lovely sister a coffee," said Gabriella.
"I'll come with," said Troy, slipping his hand into hers.
She stared at it and the presence of his hand in hers made her heart beat, her palms – unfortunately sweat and her words stuttered.
"What – aaabout your um fans?" asked Gabriella. "You won't get mobbed?"
"I'll worry about that you worry about my sister's coffee," answered Troy.
Within ten minutes Gabriella was back but without realizing gave Brianna the wrong coffee.
"I didn't say you could meet my brother outside," said Brianna, as Gabriella put her coffee on her desk.
"I didn't know he was out there," answered Gabriella.
"I gathered that but I don't want a date with him at Vers at 7," answered Brianna.
"What?"
"I think I have your coffee. My brother brought them," said Brianna.
Gabriella nodded.
"I know you're on the internet," said Brianna, before putting down her coffee.
"Chelsea," called Brianna.
"Yes Ms Walsh?" asked the preppy young girl.
"Go get some lunch or something ten minutes," said Brianna.
Chelsea hurried out.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," said Brianna. "I never praise anyone however you are an incredible worker. You've put up with my crap that past few weeks and I know you'd put up with for a lot longer. My brother didn't put me up to this by the way. I believe we could get on, your still going to work for me, your still going to have to go though hell but today you are going to go home now and get ready for your date with my brother and you have the rest of the week off to spend with him before his tour," said Brianna.
Gabriella stood before her speechless.
"I um thank you," said Gabriela.
"Go this conversation never happened," said Brianna.
Gabriella nodded, grabbed her things and headed out.
"Chelsea!" she called, as she spotted the girl walking out of the elevator.
"Has she fired you?" asked Chelsea.
"No I'm off for the rest of the week. But you, you can do this job ok. You'll probably be working longer hours, up in the night. Don't doubt yourself ok," said Gabriella.
Chelsea nodded.
"Now you need to get back to your desk," said Gabriella.
Chelsea hurried off and Gabriella pulled her phone out.
"Hello," said Troy.
"Do you know your sister has a soft side?" asked Gabriella.
"Only one percent of the time why?" asked Troy.
"Guess who just got given the rest of the week off?" asked Gabriella.
"I'm in rehearsals most of the week," said Troy.
"For your tour," replied Gabriella.
"My sister told you," guessed Troy.
"Yeah and she just gave the rest of the week off," said Gabriella. "Which is unheard off."
"I'll speak to you tonight," said Troy.
"At Versa?" asked Gabriella.
"Seven," smiled Troy. "I'm in the middle of rehearsals I'll have to go."
"It's ok," said Gabriella. "I'll see you later. We can work something out."
"Yeah I'll pick you at half six," said Troy.
"See you then," said Gabriella, hanging up.
Half six turned into half nine which turned into ten and Gabriella asleep on the couch asleep with empty plates in front of her. Troy hadn't turned up and he hadn't rung. However she had seen him on TV. Tomorrow she decided to clean up her apartment and think about redecorating.
Her phone rang jolting her from her deep sleep.
"Hello," she said, groggily.
"Hi I'm sorry," said Troy.
"Go to hell," she whispered.
"Ok," said Troy.
"Sorry I'm just annoyed and tired," said Gabriella. "You woke me up."
"I gathered that I'm outside," said Troy.
Gabriella hung up and buzzed him up. When he came up he had a big bunch of roses and box of chocolates.
"I'm really sorry," said Troy.
"I saw TV tonight," said Gabriella.
"Yeah um that was booked at the last minute if I couldn't have gotten out of it I would," said Troy.
"No it's ok," said Gabriella.
"No it's not I should have tired to phone," said Troy.
"Troy you apologize on live TV," said Gabriella.
Her mind flicked back to the moment.
"So we have a last minute booking. Tonight we have Rebound on the show," said the interviewer. "Boys get to have you here."
"Great to be here," replied the boys.
"You all doing ok?" asked the presenter.
The guys gave yes replies until Chad said.
"Apart from Troy," said Chad. "He had plans he's a little ticked off."
"Interesting plans," said the presenter.
"I'm meant to be on a date. So if she's watching I'm sorry," said Troy.
"Name?" asked the presenter.
"Early days," answered Troy.
"Oh no more days," said the presenter.
"Who knows," answered Troy.
Gabriella walked over to him.
"There will be more days," she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Really," said Troy, dropping the items in his hand.
"You better not have broken my chocolates Bolton," said Gabriella. "Are you mine for the rest of the night?"
Troy didn't answer just leaned down and swept Gabriella up into a seriously tender kiss.
"I'll take that as a yes," she whispered, breathlessly.
"Yes," he answered, before claiming her lips.
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Gabriella Somerfield